Abstract:

A system for using one or more criteria in order to calculate a wait-time
in a business establishment, the system comprising: one or more checkout
lanes located at the business establishment; a display screen positioned
at each of the one or more checkout lanes; a bar code reading station; a
light switch; a personal shopping assistant device utilized by each
customer for receiving and transmitting first information; a central
processing station for collecting second information from each display
screen, bar code reading station, personal shopping assistant device, and
light switch of each of the one or more checkout lanes; wherein the
central processing station calculates an estimated wait time for each of
the one or more checkout lanes based on the information collected and
farther displays the estimated wait time of each of the one or more
checkout lanes on the respective display screen.

Claims:

1. A system lot using one or more criteria in order to calculate a
wait-time for one or more checkout lanes included within a business
establishment, the system comprising:a display screen positioned at each
of the one or more checkout lanes;a bar code reading station located at
each of the one or more checkout lanes;a light switch located at each of
the one or more checkout lanes;a personal shopping assistant device
utilized by a customer of the business establishment, for receiving and
transmitting first information;a central processing station for
collecting second information from each display screen, bar code reading
station, personal shopping assistant device, and light switch of each of
the one or more checkout lanes;wherein the central processing station
calculates an estimated wait time for each of the one or more checkout
lanes based on the information collected and further displays the
estimated wait time of each of the one or more checkout lanes on the
respective display screen.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more criteria include a
cashier's scan rate, a number of previously processed items per lane, and
checkout habits of each customer in the one or more checkout lanes.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more checkout lanes
sends to the central processing station, via the personal shopping
assistant device, a number of checkout carts and all the items located in
each of the checkout carts for each of the one or more checkout lanes.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more floor sensors are positioned
at each of the one or more checkout lanes to determine a number of
checkout carts and all the items located in each of the checkout carts
and send such data either to the central processing station or to the
personal shopping assistant device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein checkout habits of each customer waiting
in the one or more checkout lanes are stored in a loyalty card, and
wherein each of the loyalty cards includes previous items purchased and
previous methods of payment sent to the central processing station via
the personal shopping assistant device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the estimated wait time for each of the
one or more checkout lanes is transmitted directly to the personal
shopping assistant device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein Radio Frequency identification (RFID)
tags are placed on each of a plurality of shopping carts to communicate
with the central processing station.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein one display screen displays the
estimated wait time of all the one or more checkout lanes.

9. A method for calculating a wait-time for one or more checkout lanes
included within a business establishment, the method comprising:receiving
and transmitting first information via a personal shopping assistant
device utilized by each customer;collecting second information from one
or more display screens, one or more bar code reading stations, one or
more personal shopping assistant devices, and one ore more light
switches, positioned at of each of the one or more checkout lanes, via a
central processing station;wherein the central processing station
calculates an estimated wait time for each of the one or more checkout
lanes based on the information collected and further displays the
estimated wait time of each of the one or more checkout lanes on the
respective display screen.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more criteria include a
cashier's scan rate, how many items in the lane were previously
processed, and checkout habits of each customer in the one or more
checkout lanes.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein each of the one or more checkout lanes
sends to the central processing station, via the personal shopping
assistant device, a number of checkout carts and all the items located in
each of the checkout carts for each of the one or more checkout lanes.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein one or more floor sensors are
positioned at each of the one or more checkout lanes to determine a
number of checkout carts and all the items located in each of the
checkout carts and send such data either to the central processing
station or to the personal shopping assistant device.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein checkout habits of each customer
waiting in the one or more checkout lanes are stored in a loyalty card,
and wherein each of the loyalty cards includes previous items purchased
and previous methods of payment sent to the central processing station
via the personal shopping assistant device.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the estimated wait time for each of the
one or more checkout lanes is transmitted directly to the personal
shopping assistant device.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
tags are placed on each of a plurality of shopping carts to communicate
with the central processing station.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein one display screen displays the
estimated wait time of all the one or more checkout lanes.

Description:

TRADEMARKS

[0001]IBM® is a registered trademark of International Business
Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., U.S.A. Other names used herein may be
registered, trademarks, trademarks or product names of International
Business Machines Corporation or other companies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]1. Field of the Invention

[0003]This invention relates to checkout lines, and particularly to a
method of utilizing several criteria not accessible to customers for
calculating a wait time for every checkout line of a retail store.

[0004]2. Description of Background

[0005]Many retail stores such as grocery stores and clothing stores have
several checkout lines available in order to ensure that the customer is
able to check out in the least amount, of time possible. However, the
problem is that customers have to gauge what line they think would be the
fastest to go through. This is currently done manually, as the customer
determines which line may have the least amount of people in it.
Nevertheless, most times the lines have about the same number of people
in each one, so the customer randomly chooses one to stand in. Although
the lines contain about the same number of people, some move at a faster
pace than others. This frustrates the customer as the customer realizes
that he/she didn't choose the most optimal line to be in.

[0006]Considering the above limitations, it is desired to have a method of
utilizing several criteria not accessible to customers for calculating a
wait time for every checkout, line of a retail store.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007]The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional
advantages are provided through the provision of a system for using one
or more criteria in order to calculate a wait-time in a business
establishment comprising: one or more checkout lanes located at the
business establishment; a display screen positioned at each of the one or
more checkout lanes; a bar code reading station located at each of the
one or more checkout lanes; a light switch located at each of the one or
more checkout lanes; a personal shopping assistant device utilized by
each customer for receiving and transmitting first information; a central
processing station for collecting second information from each display
screen, bar code reading station, personal shopping assistant device, and
light switch of each of the one or more checkout lanes; wherein the
central processing station calculates an estimated wait time for each of
the one or more checkout lanes based on the information collected and
further displays the estimated wait time of each of the one or more
checkout lanes on the respective display screen.

[0008]The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional
advantages are provided through the provision of a method for using one
or more criteria in order to calculate a wait-time in a business
establishment, the method comprising: one or more checkout lanes located
at the business establishment for calculating the wait-time by
implementing the steps of: positioning at each of the one or more
checkout lanes a display screen; positioning at each of the one or more
checkout lanes a bar code reading station; positioning at each of the one
or more checkout lanes a light switch; receiving and transmitting first
information via a personal shopping assistant device utilized by each
customer; collecting second information from each display screen, bar
code reading station, personal shopping assistant device, and light
switch of each of the one or more checkout lanes via a central processing
station; wherein the central processing station calculates an estimated
wait time for each of the one or more checkout lanes based on the
information collected and further displays the estimated wait time of
each of the one or more checkout lanes on the respective display screen.

[0009]Additional features and advantages are realized through the
techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the
invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the
claimed invention. For a better understanding of the invention with
advantages and features, refer to the description, and the drawings.

TECHNICAL EFFECTS

[0010]As a result of the summarized invention, technically we have
achieved a solution of a method of utilizing several criteria not
accessible to customers for calculating a wait time for every checkout
line of a retail store.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at foe
conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects,
features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following
detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a system diagram for calculating the checkout time of
every checkout line at a retail store, in accordance with an embodiment
of the invention; and

[0013]FIG. 2 is a method for calculating the checkout time of every
checkout line at a retail store, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014]One aspect of the exemplary embodiments is a system and method for
using criteria not accessible to customers in order to calculate a wait
time for each checkout line and give the customers a more accurate way to
choose a line. This will make the checkout experience faster and more
efficient, which, in turn, will increase customer satisfaction and will
allow the business to make money at a faster pace.

[0015]Every checkout line would include a display screen showing the
calculated wait time. To calculate the wait lime for a particular
checkout line, the disclosed system uses criteria that is not accessible
to the customers, such as cashiers scan rate, how many items in the line
need to be processed, and typical checkout habits of the customers in
line. How each of these parameters is used is outlined below:

[0016]Parameter 1: Cashier's scan rate: When a specific cashier checks
into or logs onto a checkout station, the central processing station
monitors the cashier's scan rate. Therefore, data such as if a cashier
scans 12 items per minute on average or if a cashier takes approximately
4 minutes per transaction are logged in and sent to the central
processing station for further processing.

[0017]Parameter 2: How many items in the line need to be processed: This
could be achieved by using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
technology or by using a "Personal Shopping Assistant" (PSA) device with
the ability to read a barcode of every item that is entered into a
shopping cart. In the exemplary embodiments, a PSA could include a
store-provided shopping assistant device with a barcode reader, and it
could also represent a consumer owned device, such as a PDA/cell-phone
equipped with shopping software. RFID tags can also be added to the
shopping carts themselves. Each checkout line would be aware of how many
shopping carts were in the checkout line, and also how many and what
types of items are in the checkout cart.

[0018]For example, some items may need to be scanned, while other items
may need to he weighed (e.g., produce). This would also be factored into
the estimated wait-lime calculation. To determine the items that need to
be processed, any of the following embodiments can be used;

[0019](1) An RFID reading station can be placed at each checkout line that
would read the RFID tags that are on the shopping carts that are in the
checkout line. Once the RFID reader recognizes the items, this
information is sent to the calculator, which then sends the information
to the display screen at the beginning of each checkout line.

[0020](2) The customer could allow his/her PSA to know what line he/she
has gotten into. The PSA would then send the information about the
person's shopping cart to the calculator to process.

[0021](3) Vertical sensors can be added to the floor to direct customers
as to where to stand for the next spot in line. These sensors can use
RFID technology to determine what items the customer has. In addition, if
a PSA is used, the floor sensors can communicate with the PSA device to
determine what items the customer has. This information is then sent to
the system to make the calculation, and display it on the display screen
at the beginning of each line.

[0022]Parameter 3: Typical checkout habits by using loyalty cards: This
parameter can be achieved by determining if the customer typically pays
with cash, credit, or check. It can also be determined if the customer
usually buys specific items, such as cigarettes or liquor, as this will
add time to the checkout experience since the cashier will need to ask
the customer for ID, and may need to leave the station to get the
cigarettes or liquor. Another use of the loyalty card would be to
determine if the customer typically uses coupons, and if so how many, as
this can also add time to the overall checkout experience.

[0023]If the customer uses a PSA, then the loyalty card would have already
been scanned and this information can be sent to the calculator when the
person enters the checkout line. If the RFID reading station or the floor
sensor is used, they can detect when the customer enters the line and
grab the information from their loyalty card at that point.

[0024]As a result, the system calculations would rely on as much
information as is available. However, as all of the above information may
not be available due to the type of technology existing in the store,
calculations can still be made based on averages, allowing estimates to
be produced and used accordingly.

[0025]Once all of the information is sent to the system for calculation,
it can determine how long it will take to process the customers that are
in line. The system calculations also automatically adjust as people
leave and enter the line. This can be accomplished with, a simple
"heartbeat" check to each of the information receiving devices, with
configurable time intervals.

[0026]Many existing cashier stations contain a light switch, which allows
cashiers to make the light flash when they need assistance for things
such as price checks or manager assistance. The flashing light could
trigger the calculator to add an approximate interruption time to the
wait time display.

[0027]Referring to FIG. 1, a system diagram for calculating the checkout
time of every checkout line at a retail store, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The system 10 includes a
first checkout lane 12, a second checkout lane 14, an nth checkout lane
16, a light switch 18, a bar code reading station 20, a display 22, a
user having a PSA 24, a floor sensor 26, and a central processing station
28.

[0028]Each checkout lane contains a light switch 18, a bar code reading
station 20, a display 22, and a floor sensor 26. A user having a PSA 24
may access any checkout lane and have the PSA 24 interact with the
display 22. The central processing station 28 collects data from the PSA
24, the bar code reading station 20, the light switch 18, and the floor
sensor 26. The central processing station may provide information
directly to the PSA 24 or it may send information directly to the display
22. The user having the PSA 24 may directly access information from the
display 22. The central processing station collects all this information
to calculate an estimated wait-time for each checkout lane.

[0029]Referring to FIG. 2, a method for calculating the checkout time of
every checkout line at a retail store, in accordance with an embodiment
of the invention is illustrated. In one exemplary embodiment, the
checkout time flow diagram may be illustrated as follows. In step 30, the
processing starts. In step 32, the customer arrives at the checkout lane.
In step 34, the customer receives and transmits first information via
either a personal shopping assistant device or via a floor sensor or via
a RFID tag. In step 36, the central processing station collects second
information from each display screen, bar code reading station, personal
shopping assistant device, floor sensor, and light switch to update the
estimated wait time of each checkout lane. In step 38, the display screen
is updated to show the estimated wait time for each checkout lane. In
step 40, the customer locates the smallest wait time of a checkout lane.
In step 42, the customer proceeds to the checkout lane having the
smallest estimated wait time. In step 44, the process ends and the
customer goes home happy. One ordinary skilled in the art can easily
switch these steps around or add or remove steps to this flow diagram.
This flow diagram merely presents one general way of performing this
method of estimating a wait time for each checkout line in a business
establishment.

[0030]The capabilities of the present invention can be implemented in
software, firmware, hardware or some combination thereof.

[0031]As one example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be
included in an article of manufacture (e.g., one or more computer program
products) having, for instance, computer usable media. The media has
embodied therein, for instance, computer readable program code means for
providing and facilitating the capabilities of the present invention.

[0032]While the preferred embodiment to the invention has been described,
it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the
future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within
the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to
maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.